Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 171

All Lukanja had to do was to reason with Sato–San. That was the agreement they had reached with Akechi that day. If they wanted him to also tell everything to Sato–San they had to keep this word. Although they understood where he was coming from. It was not unreasonable to think that way and draw such conclusions. And Sato–San was really emotional sometimes. Wait no, emotional wasn’t the right word. Yet he was certainly a force to be reckoned with and when Akechi would tell the officer everything… Needless to say, there was a risk that Sato–San wouldn’t listen. So to minimize those chances Lukanja had to come in for that. 

But firstly they had to do several things beforehand. Or rather one thing – Inform Sato–San about the developments. And they had done so shortly after, just when they had agreed to meet up in front of the police station the next day.

“You won’t run, right?” They had asked Akechi though, just in case. 

“If you are that concerned, then please. Let that thing drag me back into its world.” He only responded. They were able to tell that he had every intention to keep his word at least. Otherwise he would probably not suggest something so outrageous. And that only left to bring these news over to Sato–San.

‘Sorry for the wait! I will bring AKechi to the station tomorrow.’

‘Bring? Not drag?’

‘Yeah. It’s already late so could you wait until then?’

‘I’ll trust you with this. Make sure the guy’s not running off though.’

‘Will do! See you tomorrow Sato–San!’

Luckily the word was kept. There was not much more to add than that. Because the next day things went just as planned. Akechi had been waiting in front of the police station for Lukanja, so the both could enter it and head over to Officer Sato’s office. A knock, his usual “Come in” and things went by rather quickly. 

The two had sat down though Lukanja was remaining silent for the most part, at least up until a certain point. Akechi… He was ready to confess everything what he had told Lukanja. And while Sato–San tried to remain calm even he was in a bit of a shock when he heard all of that. Though he remained speechless, or at the very least was trying to hold back any comment he would make. But one could see that he wanted to say something so badly. But he didn’t, not until Akechi was finished at least. 

“So you’re saying that you were acting on someone’s orders?” The officer asked, needing to make sure. 

“Yes. It wasn’t just me involved.” The younger one of the two confirmed the situation.

“I see… But that doesn’t excuse you from anything. You know that?”

“Oh believe me, I didn’t expect to get out of this scott free.” A quick counter.

Sato–San grumbled, perhaps a little annoyed by the phrasing. But he sighed, ready to stand up and seeming to nearly grab something from his belt. “If that’s the case then—” He was about to say yet froze when Akechi interrupted him.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you.” A sharp glare fell onto the officer, this one not holding back his words in any way,

“What do you mean punk?” He scoffed as he was holding tightly onto the side of his belt, or something on there at the very least. “You really think that I will just let you go like that?”

“No. I haven’t been saying that either.”

“Then you take what’s coming to you or else—”

Yet before it could escalate Lukanja finally got the courage to say something. Their lips trembled, internally having taken a deep breath before they would finally speak up on the matter, just as agreed upon. “Sorry to interrupt you but… I think I know what Akechi–Kun means.”

The officer then shot a glare at them, making them go tense in the chair. Their own eyes wandered over to the guy next to them yet he only looked back at them. ‘You got this.’

Their eyes then wandered back, knowing that they had to do this on their own. Thus they continued speaking… Just keep calm and explain the situation. “It’s because of what Shido might do.” They continued. “If you act now and arrest Akechi–Kun, he will suspect something. And we don't know what might happen.”

“That’s not an excuse and you know it.”

“Yes but, think about it. Shido is a politician with his ties everywhere. If he finds out about this, he could try killing Akechi to silence him. And then we would lose potential testimony.”

“We got people to prevent something like this from happening.”

“I know but who knows what Shido might pull. There is always a risk of someone reporting back to him and then we would be in big trouble. It may not be the best course of action to convict Akechi right away.”

One could see Sato–San falter. On one hand he seemed to consider those words. Was Lukanja actually getting through to him? Maybe. But on the other hand one could tell that he really didn’t like the idea, at all. And they were honestly not blaming him. Even when taking this thought process into consideration. “So we let this guy run around free!? What if this is his plan to escape!?” 

“I figured that you would bring that up” Akechi sighed shaking his head before eyeing the officer again. “I promise that I won't but it will only mean so much to you.”

“You lied once before to the police with your detective act.” The officer brought up. “I got no reason to trust you now.”

“Of course. Hence why I suggest that your dear underpaid intern watches me closely.” As Akechi said that he was pointing right at Lukanja, them feeling Sato–San’s gaze on them all of a sudden. And even they were a bit surprised. Wait a moment— Did he just call them their underpaid intern!? That’s not— “Until Shido has been dealt with by the Phantom Thieves, I will report to her on a daily basis and stay close the entire day. You will always have access to where I am at what time that way.”

“You mean Anja?” The officer asked, though more baffled. “Why her?”

“She is the only other person who knows of my whereabouts. Plus we would not raise any suspicion being seen together.” He explained further. “The goal is to stay hidden until Shido poses no threat anymore.”

“Ugh… I hate when you make sense.” A moment of defeat, though there had been a small pause in between. Sato–San then sat back down, hands on the table again, though visibly annoyed. “Fine. Anja, you’ll be on watch so don't come here until he can fess up. You have my contact so inform me about his whereabouts at all times. Got it?”

“Eh!? R… Right… Sure…” They nodded, once more having no choice but to agree. They had helped with this sentiment after all so they may as well face the consequences of that as well. At the very least this has been dealt with… Or as best as it could have been. Well, not like it would change much. They just had to remember to report back to Sato–San everyday, that’s all.